They didn’t develop for our enjoyment. While wildflowers are a spectacular sight for nature enthusiasts, they weren’t created for us. They are there to attract insects that pollinate native plants and produce seedlings. This process also feeds birds. The plants and insects are both flourishing. Everyone is contributing to the future.
You can see wildflowers close at hand by picking up a guide to wildflowers and visiting a nearby nature preserve or planting them in your own yard. These destinations offer a stunning display of wildflowers and the chance to see plenty of birds.
Andrea DeLong Amaya, horticulture manager at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas, reminds us always to be respectful and leave flowers alone. There are many stories of people trampling flowers in pursuit of the perfect photo or view. DeLong Amaya adds, “It is also good to slow down and just smell the roses,” even if they are not roses.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Peak bloom in March
The vast Southern California desert is awash with colour in the early months of the year. As winter winds down, yellow desert marigolds and purple desert sand verbena blooms appear on the sand. Swainson’s Hawks are also descending for a mid-migration caterpillar feast. The region could produce “superblooms”, which are large enough to be visible from space. This happened in 2023. Experts say that it is difficult to predict whether a major event will occur again in 2024, but they do believe it is possible. Winter precipitation has also picked up since a slow start.
Crowd Control: Desert flowers can attract huge crowds. The Theodore Payne Foundation’s hotline provides the latest information, including lesser-known locations.
Inks Lake State Park, Texas
Peak bloom April
Bluebonnets cover the fields in Texas as spring approaches. This park in the central Hill Country near Austin is known for its abundance of blue flowers amongst the pink rock outcrops. You can continue along scenic routes to enjoy the roadside blooms or drive west to Big Bend National Park for the tallest bluebonnets that grow up to three feet. The Hill Country is a great place to see local birds like the Golden-cheeked Warbler or Black-capped Vireo.
Crowd Control: While it may be tempting to pull off the road and take a picture, you could end up on private property. You can get close to the flowers in nature centres and parks without having to worry about trespassing.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina
Peak bloom: April-May
This area, sometimes called Wildflower National Park, is home to over 1,500 flowering plant species. Azaleas and wild geraniums are abundant in the forests and wetlands. The park offers guided hikes and workshops as part of its annual “wildflower journey.”
Crowd Control: Visit the most popular national park in the country early in the season. Tourism is at its peak in late spring and the summer.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Peak bloom in May
The Sonoran Desert is lit up by a variety of flowers, including chuparosa and Indian Paintbrush. The park is home to a rare sight: white flowers that appear from saguaro giant cacti. The prickly plant, which grows up to 40 feet tall, is also friendly to desert birds. White-winged Doves pollinate the flowers, and Gila Woodpeckers nest in its tissue.
Crowd Control: Heat and crowds are more of a concern. By June, temperatures can reach triple digits. Avoid midday hikes and hydrate.
Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
Peak bloom in June
Lupines, with their waving stems, cover rolling fields in pinks and purples. The park is located in the White Mountain National Forest and offers trails, valley vistas, and northern birds such as the Spruce Grouse and Bicknell’ sthrush. Sugar Hill, a picturesque town nearby, hosts a summer celebration for lupines. A cheese store also keeps a flower blog that updates information throughout the season.
Crowd Control: Popular photo spots may become congested, but blooms are everywhere. Consider scenic backroads to get your lupine fix.
Mount Rainier National Park in Washington
Peak blooming: July to August
The open meadows below the alpine zone, as the snow melts, come alive with wildflowers such as purple lupines and penstemons. The bloom zone is a popular hiking area, especially around the Paradise or Sunrise areas. Birds feed on seeds and insects in the meadows, including Mountain Bluebirds and a variety of warblers.
Crowd control: Popular trails (and parking lots) are filled quickly during the short bloom period. Avoid the crowds by going off-hours or venturing to remote areas.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas
Variable peak bloom:
If you’re not a fan of schedules, the prairie is a great option. The landscape has a constant cascade from spring to fall, with new species appearing each week. Asters, goldenrods and blazing stars are some of the varieties that can be seen as late as October when prairie grasses such as big bluestem reach their highest heights. The preserve is a remnant of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem that was once common in the United States. It also houses Greater Prairie-Chickens, as well as a herd of free-roaming Bison.
Crowd control: The vast Prairie offers plenty of space for solitude. However, be sure to allow the Bison some personal space.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2024 issue as “A Bloom Bonanza.” If you would like to receive our print magazine by becoming a member, please donate today.
